FISH AND WILDLIFE BRANCH NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

Transcription

1 216 FISH AND WILDLIFE BRANCH NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

2 MOOSE HARVEST REPORT 216 Summary Each year, moose licence quotas are established for each Wildlife Management Zone open to moose hunting. The moose licence quota does not indicate the desired moose harvest level; rather, it indicates the number of licences needed to reach the desired moose harvest level. Licence quotas are affected by several factors, most importantly the estimate of moose population size, the amount of unregulated moose harvest, and the success rate of hunters in the regulated hunt. Changes in those factors often cause moose licence quotas to fluctuate up and down from year-toyear, even when moose populations and harvest targets are stable or increasing, as has been the case in the past few years. The resident moose licence quota in 216 was 4,643 licences, which is a slight increase from 215. A total of 61,487 NB residents, 3,177 non-residents, and 118 outfitters and guides submitted applications to the moose licence draw in 216; 4,643 resident, 5 non-resident, and 5 outfitter and guide applicants were successful. A total of 73% of resident moose licence holders chose to designate another resident hunter to accompany them on their licence. The total registered moose harvest in 216 was 3,435 moose. Resident hunters harvested 3,357 moose, while non-residents took 78 moose. The overall hunter success rate was 74%. Moose hunting season is set in regulation to be the last Tuesday-Saturday of September, so the season timing varies each year according to the calendar. In 216, this resulted in a season of September 2-24 th. 217 Synopsis New Brunswick s moose population appears to be stable in most areas of the province, particularly in the north-western part of the province. Moose population declines are evident in parts of southern NB. The resident moose licence quota for 217 is XXXX licences. Although the moose herd appears to be relatively healthy, it is difficult to accurately assess due to the unknown quantity and distribution of animals being removed by unregulated harvest. The regulated licence allocation must be conservative to ensure sustainability of the moose population until a moose harvest and reporting system can be established that accommodates existing aboriginal and treaty rights.

3 NUMBER OF MOOSE APPLICATIONS, LICENCES ISSUED AND HARVEST NEW BRUNSWICK Estimated # # Licences Registered % Hunter Estimated # # Licences Registered % Hunter Year Population f Applications Drawn Issued Kill Success Year Population f Applications Drawn Issued Kill Success [Moose season closed 1936 and reopened in 196] [Bulls only hunting from 196 to 1965] 21 res. d 5,54 4,518 4,415 2, , non-res. 1, , total ,826 4,618 4,511 2, ,354 1, res. d 53,916 4,293 4,191 2, ,359 1, 1, non-res. 1, ,38 1, 1, total ,52 4,393 4,286 2, ,46 1, 1, res. d 47,29 2,779 2,714 1, ,5 1, 1, non-res. 1, ,5 1, 1, total 22 48,588 2,879 2,88 1, ,724 1,5 1, res. d 5,585 2,769 2,694 1, ,9 1,6 1, non-res. 1, ,16 2, 1, total ,124 2,869 2,79 1, ,334 2, 1, res. d 54,26 3,266 3,27 2, ,639 2,5 2,441 1,43 43 non-res. 1, ,558 2,5 2,46 1, total ,85 3,366 3,34 2, a 39,157 6, 5,58 1, res. d 55,972 3,2 2,913 2, ,587 6, 4, non-res. 1, ,347 6, 4,753 1, total ,716 3,12 3,11 2, ,815 6, 4,746 1, res. d 57,442 3,11 3,61 2, ,547 6, 4,64 1, non-res. 1, ,7 6, 4,786 1, total 25 59,317 3,21 3,16 2, ,53 6, 4,935 1, res. d 58,23 3,34 3,286 2, ,5 6, 4,892 1, non-res. 1, , 6, 5,32 1, total ,971 3,44 3,382 2, ,32 6, 5,65 1, res. d 6,716 3,42 3,347 2, ,727 6, 5,175 1, non-res. 2, ,14 6, 5,63 1, total ,925 3,52 3,445 2, ,127 6, 5,228 1, res. d 62,844 3,545 3,483 2, ,625 6, 5,21 1, non-res. 2, ,89 6, 5,185 1, total ,163 3,645 3,583 2, b 28,895 6, 5,243 2, res. d 62,696 4,364 4,271 2, ,894 6, 5,25 1, non-res. 2, ,314 6, 5,234 1, total ,344 4,464 4,368 2, ,212 6, 5,321 1, res. d 63,649 4,624 4,524 3, ,332 6, 5,32 2,61 39 non-res. 2, c ,3 5,655 5,1 2, total ,257 4,724 4,624 3, ,791 5,649 4,989 2, res. d 66,319 4,612 4,531 3, res. d 57,514 4,244 3,848 1, non-res. 3, non-res. e total ,459 4,712 4,629 3, total ,185 4,344 3,948 1, res. d 66,658 4,612 4,529 3, res. d 59,428 4,754 4,31 2,75 48 non-res. 3, non-res outfitter non-res total 199 6,18 4,854 4,42 2, total ,741 4,712 4,626 3, res. d 55,59 4,84 4,573 2, res. d 63,135 4,592 4,498 3, non-res. 1, non-res. 2, total 24 56,695 4,94 4,669 2, outfitter non-res res. d 57,271 4,683 4,519 1, total ,151 4,692 4,598 3, non-res. 1, res. d 61,487 4,643 4,541 3, total 28 58,379 4,783 4,617 2,22 44 non-res. 3, res. d 48,469 4,283 4,174 2,485 6 outfitter non-res non-res total ,782 4,743 4,64 3, total ,455 4,383 4,271 2, a 3 day season begins; b Moose licence fee increased from $25 to $5; c Allocation of hunters by Wildlife Management Zone begins; d Resident licences issued are party chiefs. Resident success is for party regardless of number of hunters.; e 1 non-resident hunters included in the moose hunt in 1996 for first time. f Estimated pre-hunt adult moose population (1.5 year-old+)

4 MOOSE HUNTING APPLICATIONS New Brunswick : 5 year waiting period -1994: no waiting period or test; $6 application fee Resident applications Year Non-resident applications MOOSE HUNTING LICENCES SOLD New Brunswick Year : test req'd; 6 applications drawn : no test; fewer applications drawn : 2-person parties allowed; non-residents allowed; fewer resident applications drawn - 23: permits reduced to mitigate impact of unregulated aboriginal harvest Principal hunter Non-residents Designated hunters

5 WMZ MOOSE DRAW DATA, LICENCE PURCHASE AND KILL SUCCESS OF RESIDENT MOOSE HUNTING PARTIES New Brunswick 216 Licence Quota 216 # Applicants Applicants Drawn Resident Principal Hunter Licences¹ Purchased Designated Hunter Licences 2 Purchased 216 Reg'd Kill 3 % Successful in Harvesting a Moose , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Province 4,643 61,488 4,643 4,541 3,38 3, Licence Quota 217 N o t a v a i l a b l e y e t 1 Licences purchased are those of the resident principal hunters who were successful in the draw. 2 Designated hunter licences allow principal hunters to be accompanied by one other resident hunter who can assist in filling their tag. 73% of residents who were successful in the draw and purchased a moose hunting licence chose to hunt with a designated hunter. 3 Resident kill only.

6 MOOSE HARVESTED & HUNTER SUCCESS RATES (%) # Moose killed New Brunswick % Success Year Moose Killed Hunter Success -1994: Implementation of quotas by zone Tuesday 947 MOOSE KILL BY DAY 216 New Brunswick Wednesday 69 Thursday September 216 Friday 51 Saturday 541 AVERAGE WEIGHTS OF NEW BRUNSWICK MOOSE* (pounds ** field dressed) Age Male Female * Weights were obtained from 117 moose registered at Fredericton and Edmundston, & at Fredericton ** To convert "pounds" to "kilograms", multiply by.45.

7 REGISTERED MOOSE HARVEST BY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT ZONE NEW BRUNSWICK 216 TOTAL HARVEST (#) and HARVEST PER KM 2 [ ] (14) [.126] (59) [.21] 6 (223) [.49] (18) [.72] 16 (136) [.32] 4 (37) [.129] (271) (95) 21 2 (11) [.19] (314) (183) [.56] (314) (18) [.115] [.86] [.34] [.74] (11) [.31] (79) [.31] [.9] 8 [.43] (187) (81) [.55] [.31] 22 (27) 18 (93) [.35] 23 (89) [.32] 14 9 (44) (72) [.28] [.39] 19 (57) [.26] 24 (31) [.16] 25 (43) [.21] 26 (No Season) 27 (No Season) A total of 3,435 moose registered in 216. Harvest per km 2 for all open zones =.46

8 SEX AND AGE OF MOOSE HARVESTED New Brunswick [moose season was closed in 1936 and reopened in 196] Adult & Yearling Year Bull Cow Male Female Unknown Total 196 a b n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , c 1, , , , d 1, , , , , , , ,22 2 1, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,435 a Bulls only season from 196 to 1965 b Either sex hunting began in 1966 to present c Allocation of hunters by zone d Designated hunters could accompany principal licence holder for first time. Calf

9 SEX AND AGE OF MOOSE HARVESTED BY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT ZONE 216 New Brunswick MALE FEMALE Age Age Sex WMZ Adult Yearling Calf Unknown Adult Yearling Calf Unknown Unknown Total unknown 1 1 Province

10 WMZ MOOSE SIGHTINGS PER HOUR HUNTED FOR WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT ZONES New Brunswick Sightings per Hour Hunted closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed 27 closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed closed Province Note: Report forms from both successful and unsuccessful principal hunters were used to determine the number of moose sightings per hour of hunting, see 214 Moose Hunter Survey.

11 DEER HARVEST REPORT Summary The 216 deer hunting season had a harvest of 5,386 deer, a 23% increase over 215. The Antlerless Deer Permits had been reduced by 2% to 1,8 permits for 216. The winter of 215 was one of the worst winters the past 25 years, so the antlerless deer permits had been reduced to help grow the deer herd. The winter of 216 was milder than average and allowed for good fawn winter survival, thus resulting in a healthy pulse of yearlings into the 216 deer season. This was evident in the fact that 44% of the overall harvest was comprised of yearling bucks. Resident hunters had a harvest success rate of 11%, while non-residents had slightly better harvest success rates of 17%. Hunters with Antlerless Deer Permits had better success rates of 37% because of their ability to harvest a deer of either sex. During the gun season, the harvest was spread with 28% of the harvest occurring in the first week, and between 2 to 25% in the remaining 3 weeks. There were 5 deer (1% of the harvest) taken on the three Sundays that were open for hunting during the season. A total of 89% of the harvest were bucks, 9% adult females, and 2% fawns. In 216 there were 1,8 Antlerless Deer Permits made available; 45 fewer than in 215. A total of 7,743 resident hunters applied for the computerized tag draw, of which 1,85 were successful. Hunters with antlerless deer tags harvested 672 deer in the 216 season. Of the successful antlerless permit holders, 61% harvested antlerless deer and 3% harvested adult bucks. A total of 46,381 residents and 333 non-residents purchased licences to hunt white-tailed deer. Total licence sales were 46,714, which was 2,125 fewer than 215 sales; 8% below the long-term average. New Brunswick residents harvested 99% of the total deer kill, while non-residents harvested 1%. 217 Synopsis The NB deer herd had a healthy growth spurt in 216, due to the good winter survival. The bump in the number of yearlings in 216 will shift into a bump of 2 year olds in 217, and hopefully hunters will see more larger racked bucks this season. The winter of 217 was about equal to the 1 year average, with about 15% mortality. This was a harsher winter than 216 (11%) and the additional mortality may curb some population growth. Current analysis generally predicts a prehunt population similar to that of last year. This year's report includes provincial deer population estimates since 197. These estimates are based on hunter effort and hunter success rates with limited statistical strength. These estimates should be used as trend indicators than as total population size. These figures may change in future years as models improve.

12 LICENCES SOLD DEER LICENCE SALES AND HARVESTS New Brunswick HARVESTS RESIDENT NON-RES. TOTAL RESIDENT NON-RES. TOTAL TOTAL YEAR TOTAL UNK TOTAL GUN GUN BOW GUN SEASON GUN SEASON BOW CROSSBOW Hunter Success Rate Estimated Prehunt Population * ,615 2,553-54,168 2,516 2, ,642 42% na ,346 2,93-57,276 15,192 1, ,937 3% na 197 a 56,35 2,495-58,845 5, ,335 11% 7, ,6 2,171-61,231 n/a n/a - - 4,379 7% 49, ,151 2,55-57,26 4, ,955 9% 57, ,913 2,162-72,75 3, ,273 6% 41, ,226 2,382-68,68 5, ,536 1% 66, ,763 1,622-67,385 5, ,554 8% 57, ,331 1,581-79,912 6, ,384 9% 68, ,812 1,938-89,75 8, ,937 1% 78, ,671 1,68-97,739 1, ,725 11% 91, ,87 1,271-1,78 12, ,344 13% 116, ,674 1,761-98,435 17, ,344 19% 167, ,896 2,297-17,193 2, ,772 2% 197, ,33 2, ,931 21, ,699 19% 2, ,148 3,134 1,12 115,42 25,833 1, ,165 24% 246, ,873 4,118 1, ,134 24,593 1, ,83 23% 235, ,78 4,81 1, ,74 29,329 1, ,25 27% 286, ,722 6,563 1,39 116,675 25,982 2, ,139 24% 255, ,256 6,737 1, ,564 24,5 1, ,572 23% 24, ,26 6,366 1,424 12,5 18,21 1, ,85 19% 18, ,486 5,67 1,121 12,277 18,294 1, ,719 19% 179, b 82,2 3, ,836 1, ,48 13% 15, ,391 2, ,147 11, ,178 14% 112, ,592 2, ,66 1, ,353 14% 15, ,185 2,113 1,72 73,37 9, ,134 14% 99, ,162 2,152 1,48 89,362 9, ,216 11% 91, ,3 1, ,842 1, ,944 14% 14, ,82 1, ,294 11, ,143 16% 119, ,55 1, ,23 12, ,55 18% 127, ,165 1, ,72 9, ,199 15% 14, ,94 1, ,642 9, ,316 14% 95, ,78 1, ,126 8, ,312 13% 88, ,791 1,188 n/a 55,979 4, ,314 8% 51, ,729 1,5 n/a 51,779 6, ,443 12% 75, ,634 1,3 n/a 5,664 5, ,733 11% 68, ,9 1,43 n/a 51,133 6, ,878 13% 8, , n/a 49,793 6, ,881 14% 8, , n/a 52,599 9, ,57 18% 16, , n/a 53,723 1, ,57 2% 115, , n/a 52,981 7, ,78 15% 88, , n/a 5,255 4, ,6 1% 62, , n/a 47,978 4, ,11 11% 64, , n/a 46,433 4, ,793 1% 61, , n/a 47,534 5, ,93 13% 74, , n/a 49,614 7, ,161 16% 93, , n/a 49,476 6, ,935 14% 81, , n/a 48,839 3, ,378 9% 56, , n/a 46,714 4, ,386 12% 67,796 a Mandatory registration begins; limit reduced from 2 to 1 deer b WMZs / Antlerless Deer Permit System begins. * Population estimates have high variance and are best used as trend indicators. Estimates may vary in future depending on model inputs.

13 DEER HARVEST (Gun & Bow) New Brunswick Estimated Prehunt Population * 35, 3, 25, Regular Season Harvest Bow Season Harvest , 15, 1, 5, Year Resident Gun Non-resident gun Bow season - Bow season began in 1982 DEER LICENCES ISSUED New Brunswick Resident Non- resident 14, 8, 12, 7, 1, 8, 6, 5, 4, 6, 4, 3, 2, 2, 1, Year Resident Non-resident

14 REGISTERED DEER KILL BY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT ZONE 216 NEW BRUNSWICK WMZ ADULT ADULT FAWN FAWN TOTAL MALES FEMALES MALES FEMALES HARVEST Closed Season Closed Season UNKNOWN 8 TOTAL 4, ,386

15 b

16 7 % successful DEER HUNTER SUCCESS RATES New Brunswick Year Resident gun Non-resident gun Antlerless permit holders Antlerless permit system began in 199 Age and Sex Structure of 216 Deer Harvest Buck Adult 33.5% Doe Fawn 3.% Doe Yearling 3.2% Doe Adult 13.7% Buck Yearling 43.7% Buck Fawn 2.9%

17 REPORTED NON-HUNTING DEER MORTALITY New Brunswick Year Total Non-hunt Kill Road/Rail Poaching Coyotes/Dogs - reported and handled by DNR staff DAILY DEER KILL - FIREARMS SEASON 216 New Brunswick 4 35 Wk Wk Wk Wk Day Total Kill Adult Bucks Adult Does Fawns - total of 5,158 deer registered in firearm season - Saturday & Sunday (dark columns)

18 ANTLERLESS DEER TAG DRAW 216 SUMMARY New Brunswick ANTLERLESS DEER TAG DRAW SUMMARY New Brunswick WMZ Quota Applications Drawn % Successful Applicant n/a 2 n/a 3 n/a 4 n/a SEASON CLOSED 5 n/a 6 n/a n/a n/a SEASON CLOSED 9 n/a 1 n/a n/a n/a n/a 1 14 n/a 15 n/a , % n/a n/a n/a % n/a , % , % n/a n/a % % TOTALS 1,8 7,434 1, %

19 12 Buck Harvest vs. Deer Winter Survival Winter Survival % Green > 88% Red < 84% 8 85 Buck Harvest MALE DEER WEIGHTS lbs 2 Adult Bucks POUNDS 15 1 Yearlings Fawns 5 ABD Buck Weights indicate habitat carrying capacity ABD = Antler Beam Diameter; another carrying capacity indicator.

20 Year Estimated Population 1 BLACK BEAR HARVEST STATISTICS New Brunswick Resident LICENCES SOLD Non- Resident Total Non- Resident Licences Used a Resident BLACK BEAR HARVEST Non- Resident Unknown/ Other b ,357 1,172 3,529 Unknown Unknown Unknown ,827 1,16 5,843 Unknown Unknown Unknown ,156 1,152 7, , ,739 Unknown 118 Unknown , ,6 Unknown Unknown Unknown , , , ,189 Unknown Unknown Unknown , ,5 Unknown Unknown Unknown , , , , , , ,314 1,282 2, ,438 1,42 2, c 1,649 1,935 3, ,519 2,124 3, ,69 2,817 4, ,13 3,235 5, ,77 3,342 5, , ,119 2,599 3, , ,413 3, , ,827 2, ,85 2, , ,22 1,98 3, , ,193 2,321 3, , ,131 2,659 3, , , ,83 2,623 3, , , ,68 2,685 3,695 2, ,46 3 1, ,91 2,584 3,675 2, , , ,263 2,589 3,852 2, , , ,33 3,275 4,65 3, , , ,599 3,199 4,798 2, , , ,88 3,297 5,15 3, , , ,868 3,512 5,38 3, , , ,958 3,69 5,567 3, , , ,92 3,416 5,336 3, , , ,113 3,228 5,341 3, , , ,3 2,899 5,199 2, , , ,569 2,74 5,39 2, , , ,98 2,25 5,185 2, , , ,163 2,145 5,38 1, , , ,956 1,972 4,928 1, ,9 13 1, ,245 1,844 5,89 1, , , ,485 1,818 5,33 1, , , ,968 2,16 5,984 1, , , ,32 2,115 6,147 2, , , ,81 2,265 7,66 2, , , This column represents estimated pre-hunt adult bear population - calculated every 3 years. a -This column reflects the number of non-resident hunters who actually hunted bears in New Brunswick. Some nonresident bear hunting licences are allocated to outfitters but not all of the purchased licences may actually used by clients. As well, non-residents will buy licences in advance of their trip and sometimes fail to come to New Brunswick to use them. b - Refers to animals reported as being killed by motor vehicles, other accidental means, as nuisances or poached. c - Mandatory registration began in fall of Total

21 SPRING AND FALL BLACK BEAR REGISTRATIONS New Brunswick Year kill estimated from hunter survey Total Harvest Spring Harvest Fall Harvest BEAR HUNTER SUCCESS (%) New Brunswick (Residents and Non-Residents) kill estimated from hunter survey unknown res./non-res. kill for 1984 Year Resident Success Non-Resident Success Average Success

22 Registered Black Bear Kill By Wildlife Management Zone Hunting Mortality 216 New Brunswick WMZ Area (km²) #Males #Females Unknown Kill per km² Total Sex Harvest , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , NO OPEN SEASON Unknown Province 72,92 1, ,88

23 SPRING BLACK BEAR HARVEST BY WEEK OF KILL 216 NEW BRUNSWICK April 23 April 3 May 7 May 14 May 21 May 28 June 4 June 11 June 18 June 25 Week Ending Season: April 18- June 25 Males Females Total Bears 2 FALL BLACK BEAR HARVEST BY WEEK OF KILL 216 NEW BRUNSWICK Sept 3 Sept 1 Sept 17 Sept 24 Oct 1 Oct 8 Oct 15 Oct 22 Oct 29 Nov 5 Week Ending Bow/Crossbow season: September Gun Season: September 1-17 & September 26 - November 5 Males Females Total Bears : 2 week bow season : 5 day bow/crossbow season BLACK BEAR SEPTEMBER BOW SEASON HARVEST NEW BRUNSWICK Year Males Females Total Bears

24 bow use Percent of Bears Harvested With Bow and Number of Bears Harvested With Bow New Brunswick number of bears percent of harvest 35% 5 3% % 2% 15% 1% 1 5% Year % # bears % harvest Page 1